Magnification Observation Device Rapid Focus via Macro Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnification observation devices require a long time for focus measurement due to the high magnification of the object lens, which necessitates searching over a wide range to determine if the focus is at the correct position, leading to inefficient focusing operations.
Innovation Solution
A magnification observation device that includes a processing unit to generate focus position data based on captured image data, allowing for rapid focusing by designating an observation region and adjusting the imaging unit and placement unit accordingly, thereby reducing the time required for focusing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the object lens of high magnification is used in the micro image acquiring unit, then the imaging precision is improved, but the focus measurement time is extended due to the need to search over a wide range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring a macro image of the entire sample before performing micro imaging. This macro image is used to pre-determine the focus measurement position, so that when high-magnification imaging is performed, the focus search starts from a pre-calculated position rather than searching the entire wide range. This preliminary positioning step significantly reduces the focus measurement time while maintaining high imaging precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the focus search range is increased to cover the entire sample area, then the adaptability is improved, but the focusing time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into two distinct stages: macro imaging to capture the entire sample area and determine focus position, and micro imaging to capture detailed views. The macro image serves as a guide that divides the overall focus adjustment task into a preliminary positioning phase and a fine-tuning phase, allowing the system to maintain wide adaptability while reducing the time required for each specific imaging task.
3Measurement precision
If the pitch of focus search is reduced to improve accuracy, then the measurement precision is improved, but the time required for focus measurement is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary focus position calculation using the macro image to identify the approximate focus measurement position. This preliminary action allows subsequent high-precision focus measurement to start from a position already close to the optimal focus point, thereby enabling the use of smaller search pitch for improved accuracy without significantly extending the overall measurement time.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a magnification observation device in which a focus of the imaging unit can be focused on the observation surface of the object in observation object region in a short period of time. An unit region of an observation object is imaged at a plurality of Z-positions by moving a object lens in the light-axis direction, the plurality of pieces of image data corresponding to the unit region are captured. An image of the observation object is displayed in the display unit as a navigation image. Shape data which indicates the position of the surface of the observation object in the unit region is generated. An observation object region on observation object is designated based on the navigation image. Based on the generated shape data, a focus of the object lens is on the surface of the observation object on the observation object region designated.